Spirit Medicine Body Oil

In the previous post, I wrote about the birth of this formula and my recent personal use of.

CEDARWOOD (Juniperus virginiana)

The Nordic peoples used cedar as incense to invoke Wotan, the one-eyed god of storm, magic and harvest. Wotan calls up strength from deep inside to help us weather difficult and turbulent circumstances.

The word cedrus originates from an Arabic word meaning “power”.  Cedarwood oil thus is known as a fortifying and strengthening essential oil, one that gives us the will to hold firm in the face of crisis. It steadies the conscious mind and helps us to resist powerful emotions that threaten to undermine our spiritual certainty. Cedarwood oil bolsters the transforming power of the will so as to convert fear into wisdom.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterri)

Frankincense was employed in the worship of the Egyptian sun god Ra, a primordial symbol for whom was the Utchat, or “All-seeing” – the sacred eye that burned with judgment.  Frankincense oil rekindles the inner light of the mind.

Considered by many as the most important aromatic incense ingredient since history began, Frankincense was prominent in the ritual religious life of the ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations.  The oil is steam-distilled from the gum resin that results from the “wounding” of the olibanum tree.

Frankincense’s most important sphere of influence is with the nervous system.  Its ability to relax and uplift are unsurpassed. It smoothes the flow of stagnant chi and is said to “deepen the breath”. It calms and centers an unfocused mind, bringing deep clarification. Frankincense is an ideal aid to meditation, contemplation and prayer – it ceases mental chatter and stills the mind.  Facilitating a state of single-pointed concentration, it allows the spirit to soar.  Frankincense contains the power to focus our spiritual consciousness and imbue a potential for transcendent awareness. This oil helps us to forego troubling thoughts of regret and break free of our attachment to the mundane past. It promotes the cultivation of insight and spiritual discipline through the union of the ego and transpersonal self.

Frankincense oil is concerned with the transformation of the Self from an amorphous state of spiritual consciousness into a crystallized one.

MYRRH (Commiphora myrrha)

The effect of myrrh oil reaches far into the psyche, and can help us to both transcend and transform aspects of material existence. It heightens our awareness of the Self, which, to the ancient Egyptians, was depicted as the bird-like Ba-soul, formless and free.

The resinous Myrrh gum has played a role in religious and medical life for almost four millennia. Said to have come from the tears of Horus, the Egyptian falcon-headed sun god, Myrrh oil is considered a revered aromatic that both honors the dead and dying and assists in the elevation of consciousness of those in transition.

Myrrh’s effect on the nervous system is that of calming and soothing. It instills deep tranquility and grounding of the mind. It is a principal oil indicated for over thinking, worry and mental distraction.

On the spirit, Myrrh’s effect is one of inner stillness and peace; awareness freed from the restless and mundane. Vulnerary in nature, Myrrh helps to close the wounds of loss and rejection, sorrow and grief, and invoke the power of solitude.

This ancient esoteric plant oil unites the spiritual and the physical. By building a bridge between Heaven and Earth, it strengthens the link between our crown and base chakras.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium)

The medieval alchemical symbol “to amalgamate” signifies Neroli’s emotionally unifying and harmonizing effects.

Neroli is extracted from the fragrant flowers of the bitter orange tree (also known as the sour or Seville orange tree). Its delicately rich, floral sweetness is both soothing and euphoric, at the same time that its bitter note is grounding.

Since its introduction in Italy in the 17^th century, Neroli has been recognized as an effective tonic for the nervous system. It relaxes the nerves and uplifts the spirit. As an all-round regulator of the nervous system, Neroli oil helps to ease mental and emotional tension, depression and anxiety.

Neroli is one of the best essential oils to calm and stabilize the heart and mind. It is particularly good for agitated conditions of the heart.

Neroli’s ability to reunite the solar and lunar (conscious and unconscious) makes it a valuable oil when there are unresolved, unexpressed painful emotions.  Neroli helps to re-establish the link between a disconnected body and mind, allowing denied emotions manifesting as physical pain and spasm to gently release. Neroli, therefore, instills the individual with renewed hope and joy.

(SWEET) ORANGE (Citrus sinensis)

Oranges have long been used as ritual gifts to bestow happiness and prosperity.

From an energetic perspective, the principal value of sweet orange oil lies in its ability to unblock and circulate stagnant chi. Its relaxing and uplifting qualities help to relieve tension and frustration. Its warm, sunny, sweet aroma conveys joy and positivity.  Sweet orange helps us to take an easy-going, more relaxed approach to life.

SPIKENARD (Nardostachys jatamansi)

The Amida Buddha has been a popular object of devotion since the 5^th century.  A symbol of spiritual peace and compassion, his benevolent power to restore faith and tranquility echoes the qualities of spikenard oil.

Spikenard’s association, (like Frankincense and Myrrh) with Jesus highlights its age-old mystical significance as a precious aromatic medicinal and ritual oil.

Spikenard calms and regulates the heart, stabilizes the mind and settles the emotions. Its energetic and psychological effects pertain mainly to the mind and soul. Its calming effect helps to soothe the deepest forms of spiritual anxiety and can instill a profound sense of peace. The bittersweet pungency of Spikenard releases obstruction to the flow of chi, freeing the ethereal soul.  It works to replace despondency, bitterness and resentment with acceptance and compassion.  Spikenard relates to the eternal part of us that exists beyond the flux of illusion and suffering. This warming oil is perfectly indicated for the spiritual seeker struggling to find a stable ground of faith. It allows one to surrender, and awards the power of devotion to one’s path.

FORMULA  (all ingredients GC/MS tested and organic)

1 oz. organic jojoba oil

Myrrh – 2 drops

Neroli – 2 drops

Cedarwood – 1 drop

Frankincense – 1 drop

(Sweet) Orange – 1 drop

Spikenard – 1 drop